Fix-It Clinic Expands
Ramsey County expands on its Fix-It Clinic concept with its first Fix-It Café this
Saturday, Sept. 22. The county calls the Café "a cozy, relaxed and stay-awhile version" of the clinic. As usual, participants can bring up to three small household appliances, clothing, electronics or similar items. Volunteers help you disassemble, troubleshoot, and repair your item for free.

The Café also will feature free coffee and pastries, free tours of the adjacent
Minnesota Tool Library , and an opportunity to learn more about Mobile Menders , a volunteer group dedicated to providing free mending services around the Twin Cities.

The Café is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at BlackStack Brewing, 755 N. Prior.
A Google Earth view of Como Lake earlier this week. From that distance, at least, you can't smell it. (Thanks to D10 resident Gordon Wrobel for the image.)
In This Case, Being Green is Not Good
When Como Lake is greener than the golf course across the street, it's clear we've got a problem. That's what happened this week, because of another algae bloom in the lake. And that's why the Como, Hamline-Midway, and Macalester-Groveland district councils are challenging each other to see which neighborhood's residents can adopt more storm drains. 

In our neighborhood, keeping storm drains clear of leaves, trash, and other debris -- and doing so year-round -- directly improves the water quality of Como Lake and connected waterways. Here's how to adopt one or more drains near your home, school, organization, or business:
  • Go to www.adopt-a-drain.org. Create an account.
  • After you create your account, type in your address and click "Find storm drains." The site will generate an interactive map of all the storm drains near your address. Be patient; it may take a while -- and you may have to move the map around -- for drains to populate the map.
  • Red means the drain is available. Green means someone already has it.  Pick one or more of the available drains to adopt. (You can even name your drain!)
Block Nurse Programs Can Help You
The Como Park Falcon Heights and North End South Como Living at Home Block Nurse programs help residents 65 and up remain in their home safely and independently. North End South Como serves South Como and Warrendale; Como Park Falcon Heights serves the rest of District 10. The programs provide services such as:
  • Housekeeping assistance for tasks such as cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, changing bed linens, and meal preparation
  • In-home foot care
  • Rides to medical appointments or errands
  • Medical screening
  • Exercise classes
The Como Park Falcon Heights program even offers tech assistance with computers, tablets, smartphones and other electronics.

For more information, visit the Como Park Falcon Heights or North End South Como websites. Or call Como Park Falcon Heights 651-642-1127, or North End South Como at 651-487-5135.

You, Too, Can Join the D10 Board
There is a vacant position on the Como Community Council Board that will be up for  election at District 10's next board meeting on Tuesday, October 16.  A partial term is available for a representative from Sub-District 4. Sub-district boundaries can be found here.

The board member elected to the position will serve until April 23, 2019.

Any resident of District 10 who is age 18 or older and lives within sub-district 4 is eligible to run. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in sub-district 4.

Candidates interested in running for a board position must submit their name, address, and a brief biography by Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Nominations submitted after that date will be treated as write-in candidacies.


Keeping an Eye on Trees
If you've had a boulevard tree planted in the past year -- and the new tree did not survive -- it will be replaced, the city's Forestry division promises. You don't need to call it in; the city does track the health of new trees, then replaces them while they are still covered by their one-year warranty. Dead trees likely will be replaced this fall.

Also, if your newly planted tree still has a stake attached, do not pull it yourself. The city monitors the stakes and leaves some in for as long as two years.

Doomed trees: Forestry crews have begun marking ash and other trees in Como Park that will be removed this winter. If you see a green or orange X, that's what's up. The city expects to cut down 218 ash trees total, likely beginning in November.
Watershed District Seeks Grant Ideas
The Capitol Region Watershed District is accepting applications for Partner Grant proposals for projects that protect, manage, or improve water resources in the watershed, which includes Como Lake, Loeb Lake, Trout Brook, and parts of the Mississippi River. Grants can range from $1,000-$20,000. Applications are due by Friday Oct. 26.

Library Has the Answers
The Saint Paul Public Library's Back to School programs are back in session. They include:
  • Homework Help, available at Rice Street, Rondo, and four other branch locations.
  • Live tutoring, available online daily from 1-11 p.m.
  • Reading Together, which offers once-a-week mentoring for pupils in grades 1-5 who are reading below grade level.
  • Createch, which provides space and tools in five locations for teens to explore their creative sides.
  • Library Go, where students can download books, music, and more -- even practice questions to get their drivers permit.
Get Rid of Hazardous Waste for Free
Ramsey County is setting up a mobile hazardous waste collection site every Friday and Saturday in September. The site is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, in the Como Ave. parking lot across from the Fairgrounds.

If you've got solvents or other chemicals that say Caution, Warning, Danger, or Poison on the label, those are good candidates. So are batteries, cell phones, fluorescent bulbs, gasoline, mercury thermometers, paint, propane tanks, and used motor oil and filters. Disposal is free.  See the complete list of what you can bring (or call 651-633-3279 24 hours a day).
Fairgrounds Events
  • Twin Cities 20th Century Design Show: Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 22-23, Progress Center. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
  • Munchkin Markets Children's Fall Consignment Sale: Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 22-23, Education Building. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.
  • State 4-H Dog Show: Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 22-23, 4-H Building. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
  • Western Saddle Club Horse Show: Through this Monday, Sept. 24, Warner Coliseum and Livestock Area.
  • YMCA Garage Sale Fall: September 27-29, Merchandise Mart.
Even More Events
  • This Saturday, Sept. 22: Marydale Festival, noon-5 p.m. The celebration of the newly renovated park on Dale St. includes food trucks, artists, live music, a beer garden, and kids activities including a puppet show, face-painting, and more.
  • Next Saturday Sept. 29: Citywide Drop-Off, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepard Road between Davern and Alton. Get rid of the junk you can't throw in the trash. To volunteer, call 651-695-4005.
  • Next Saturday Sept. 29: Como Senior High School Homecoming. Parade begins at 10:15 a.m.; picnic and homecoming activities (including food trucks, kids activities and more), 11 a.m.; football game, 1 p.m.
  • Monday Oct. 1: Last day to apply to get on the waiting lists for any size unit through the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency.
  • Friday Oct. 5: Deadline to pay City of Saint Paul storm sewer and street maintenance fees.
     
Police Hold Burglary Prevention Workshop
Saint Paul Police hold a Burglary Prevention Open House this Saturday, Sept. 22. The event will feature all kinds of tactics to discourage burglars, including locks, lighting, landscaping, cameras, and more. Participants can also sign up on the spot for a free survey of their own premises. The open house is 9 a.m.-noon at Western District police headquarters, 389 N. Hamline.

Spread the Word
District 10 is one of Saint Paul's 17 citizen participation districts. The District 10 Como Community Council is a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by members of the community. The Council's mission is to inform, educate, and connect the neighborhood to increase community pride and confidence. 

You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in District 10 activities.